alan goodman: news

well it's been quite some time since I have maintained this site, but I am going to start trying. In March 'Westchester Family' did an article about me and in May 'Westchester Parent' did a profile piece--very nice help in getting the word out! I am currently wrapping up the new CD, "Backyard Guitar". It is a more uptempo record, with lots of hand percussion and fun jumpy melodies, kind of a daytime version of 'under the bed'. Hope to have it out for the holidays.
I'll keep you posted!

so we had our first and only rehearsal(with me) yesterday and I gotta say, that was the most fun playing I have had in years! 30 four year olds all singing their hearts out, in rythm and in tune and just plain having a ball...we a just smiled and laughed and gave a big thumbs up...every now and then somebody would catch my eye and our smiles would get bigger...Jack came over after our practice and said " Zoe's daddy, you have to be here tomorrow and friday to practice with us.." and I said, "well Jack, I can't make it tomorrow but I'll sure be here on Friday!"
I can't wait....just the sheer joy and sense of fun these boys and girls have with the music tickles me beyond belief and makes me proud to be a part of their show...

Six this morning, fire up the computer, check the Parents' Choice site, what do I find?
We've won the Gold Award! No better wake up than that news...this award is kind of the holy grail of honors.
I'm not big into awards, but if that seal is the tool needed to finagle this music into the homes and hearts of zillions of people, then so be it....I'm not proud but I am humble...humbled by this music, and yeah I work damned hard at it, but it could be served better...that's where YOU come in to play...help me pass this music around! tell your friends, or make some friends and tell them about it...and celebrate!

so next week my daughter's class is putting on a performance of "old macdonald" and her teacher asked if I would accompany the class on my guitar! "of course, " I replied. We've got one day to rehearse, and I am excited and nervous...everyone's been practicing really hard. me too.
I'll let you know how it goes..

nailbiter dept.: later this day the Parent's Choice awards are announced...we are crossing our fingers!
speak soon, a.

so the new CD won some awards this past week--NAPPA and iParenting Media...these are big deals in the land of marketing and publicity---national endorsements, but beyond that they are tactical validations of the course this music is following. I want this stuff played in every house in the world-and the more people who hear about it, the better. still, it is odd to be critiqued and judged by strangers...odder still that they seem to agree with my view of what this music is!
I'll keep you posted....a.

so, august is here and summer is in mid swing! we are busy getting ready for the Scarsdale Sidewak Fair where I will be playing outside the toy store, "Scarsdale Childs Play Ltd."...stop by and listen and say hello. friday and saturday, the 5th and 6th of august.

So I should be asleep but these warm summer nights keep me up and out--playing guitar to the lightning bugs out in the back yard. Got these great little patio lights that give off just enough of a festive glow that every night becomes a spanish dance party...except everyone is in bed and I end up playing to myself....it's a private party, I guess...and this is how the next Cd gets hatched! Before the ideas see the light of day they have to make it past the dark of the night... and run the firefly gauntlet, which explains why 'under the bed' took two years to make!

hey all---'under the bed' sold out at cdbaby the first day! don't panic--they should be back in stock later today or tomorrow (friday 7/22 and saturday 7/23) and we will keep it in stock from now...kind of underestimated the demand! thanks everyone for the great support!

well, the CD has dropped and the post cards have arrived and the mailings have begun and now we are at that stage of 'what exactly have we got here?' even though we have been living eating breathing this music for the last six months or so---longer than that, really---I wrote some of this when Zoe was still in her crib and well before Noah was an idea, much less a very vocal reality...everything new is old again, or something like that. Music and kids, they're never 'done'---this Cd 'under the bed' is simply a snapshot of a moment that will never be again but will always exist...oooohhh

so here is the new site, under constant renovation. there will be news and such in this space, so check back frequently...a.